Michigan

Western Michigan University choral groups sing for the season

Courtesy photoKimberly Dunn Adams is the new choral director at the Western Michigan University School of Music.

KALAMAZOO — Kimberly Dunn Adams says, without a doubt, the best part of her day is rehearsing with her students.

As the new choral director in the School of Music at Western Michigan University, she’s preparing her students for “Choral Christmas,” an annual concert featuring more than 160 voices. The performance will be Dec. 3 at First Presbyterian Church.

Rehearsal isn’t about students just showing up for class. Each student must bring a variety of elements for the group to come together to produce its best work, Adams said.

“These students are smart, talented, passionate musicians who care for their craft — and for each other,” she said. “Our rehearsal process is inspiring because of the deep atmosphere of cooperation, investment, personal responsibility and joy that the students bring to the Dalton Center every day.”

Growing up in Philadelphia, Adams developed a passion for music early on. She began conducting at 14, and has played a wide range of instruments from violin and piano to bass guitar in a band. She performs as a soprano and mezzo-soprano soloist with various ensembles.

Before coming to WMU, Adams was director of choral activities at Mount Holyoke College in Massachusetts. She earned her doctorate in choral conducting at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and has earned numerous accolades including the Lorna Wendt Distinguished Doctoral Fellowship at the University of Wisconsin, the Hugh Giles Prize and the Hugh Porter Prize from the Yale Institute of Sacred Music.

“In the conducting community, WMU is famed for its long-standing and beautiful choral tradition,” Adams said.

Adams aims to build on that tradition “by giving thought-provoking and polished performances within the Kalamazoo community and by increasing WMU’s visibility on the national and international stages.”

Adams said she is looking forward to the “Choral Christmas” concert, which will include performances by the University Chorale, Collegiate Singers, Cantus Femina, Grand Chorus and a faculty-student brass ensemble.

“The concert will feature a candlelight Gregorian chant processional with all of the choirs scattered throughout the sanctuary of the stunning First Presbyterian Church, and a surround-sound performance that highlights both the beauty of the music and the church’s architecture,” Adams said. “The musical selections range from festive to contemplative and represent a variety of traditional carols, sacred motets and contemporary compositions. Featured composers include Gabriel Faure, Pavel Chesnokov, Hugo Distler, David Willcocks, Eric Whitacre, Charles Villiers Stanford and J.S. Bach.

“Every work was carefully chosen so that the program flows from one piece seamlessly into the next as if it were a single, composed, masterwork.”

Adams said the concert will provide a shared experience.

“This year, we’ll have carols that the choirs and audience sing together throughout,” she said. “I’m particularly excited for these pieces because, as a performer, the opportunity to directly address the audience, to participate in a fully shared musical experience, is rare and incredibly dear.

“Group singing brings people together in a very organic and honest way. ... Above all, we hope that this concert will leave our audience with a feeling of joy and warmth.”